Improvement in fire-grates



W. D. GUSEMAN.

Fire Grate.

Patented June- 30. 1863.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W. D. GUSEMAN, OF MORGANTOWN, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-GRATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39,043, dated June 30, 1863.

' Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same, taken in the line a: 00, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The object of this invention is to construct a fire-grate in such a manner that a greater heat-radiating surface than usual will be exposed, and consequently a saving in fuel effected.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention, 1 will proceed to describe it.

A A represent the two side pieces of the grate, the upper parts, a, of which are of curved form, as shown in Fig. 2. These side pieces may be of sheet-metal plate or of castmetal, and a front grate, B, is secured to the front edges of the side pieces, A A, and a bottom grate, O, fitted between the side pieces at the lower edge of the grate B.

To the front edges of the upper part of the side pieces, A A, there is attached a curved plate, D, which does not extend down to the grate B, a space, I), being allowed between them, as shown in Fig. 2. On the curved plateD there is fitted a curved plate or blower, E, the ends of which lap over the edges of the plate D. This plate or blower E is allowed to slide freely up and down, and it may be constructed of sheet or cast metal or of wiregauze. When constructed of plate, it serves, when down so as to close the opening or space b, as a blower, and when constructed of wiregauze it serves as a screen to prevent coals from falling off from the fire.

In the back part of the flue F, which is formed by the upper curved parts, a a, of the side pieces, AA, there is placed a damper, G,

the lower edge of which is pivoted in the side pieces, as shown at c, and this damper is connected by two rods, d, to cranks e on a shaft, H, which passes horizontally through the side pieces, A A. By turning this shaft H the damper G maybe adjusted so as to enlarge or contract the orifice of the flue F, as will be fully understood by referring to Fig. 2. The

fire-grate is placed against the chimney, the

flue at its upper end passing into the chimney. (See Fig.2, in which the red vertical line shows the front of the chimney.)

From the above description it will be seen that the whole of the grate is in front of the chimney, and the heatwill be radiated from the side pieces, A A, and from the curved front plate, D, as well as from the front of the grate B.

In kindling a fire the damper G is adjusted or thrown back in order to obtain as great a draft as possible, and when the, fire is under way the damper may be raised in order to contract the flue-orifice and thereby check the draft, and also throw the heat forward into the apartment. 7

The whole device may be constructed at a moderate expense, and it will effect a great saving in fuel,for it is well known that with the ordinary grates, which are set in the chimney, a large proportion of the heat is lost, as it passes up the chimney.

I would remark that the blower or screen F may be raised and lowered by any proper means. It may simply have a knob attached to it, or a crankshaft may be applied similar to that shown for adjusting the damper G.

Having thus described my invention, what I 2 W. D. GUSEMAN.

Witnesses ALEX. L. WADE, H. DARING. 

